Frequently Asked Questions About Our Programs

We hope this helps you learn more. If you have additional questions about the Jacob's Ladder addiction treatment program, contact us.

What is Jacob's Ladder at brookside farm?

Jacob’s Ladder at Brookside Farm is a residential recovery program offering long-term recovery experiences. It is a caring community of professionals and peers transforming men challenged by the disease of addiction.

The Jacob's Ladder community is grounded in the belief that an atmosphere of authentic love, and unconditional positive regard is not simply a catchy cliché, but rather it is the essence of that which is curative in addiction treatment. We understand that in active addiction our clients have lived extremely self-centered and isolated lives, depending exclusively on their own addictive reasoning and skewed beliefs. We believe that this sense of dis-ease, shame and alienation is the driving agent in the addictive process. Therefore, we emphasize a therapeutic model that shapes personal and societal values through the lessons and work performed on a farm, as a means of helping our clients find meaningful and lasting connections with their peers, their Higher Powers and themselves.

what are the requirements for residency?

Jacob’s Ladder customizes treatment programs for adult males dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. The program requires that our residents have a personal desire to quit and can express a willingness to follow the program requirements and schedule. Intake assessments are used to qualify any individual for our long-term, residential program.

Our program is a 6-month, long-term commitment with progressive stages of increasing client autonomy. One of the special attributes of the Jacob’s Ladder approach is that treatment programs are individually customized to every resident.

Can individuals who have experienced suicidal tendencies be accepted?

Past psychiatric evaluations will be reviewed during assessment. Rigorous evaluations will be an important component of individual qualification decisions. Our commitment to the safety of our residential community, and to our surrounding community dictates that high-risk factors for homicidal or suicidal tendencies may be disqualified from our program. Clients who present as actively suicidal or self-injurious would need to attend a more acute level of psychiatric care before they would be considered or accepted at Jacob's Ladder. Certain clients who demonstrate a prolonged history and propensity for suicide, psychosis (not drug induced), and certain mental health conditions may be deemed not be appropriate for our facility.

how much does it cost?

The recommended Jacob’s Ladder program is a six month commitment. Contact us to determine if insurance coverage is an option and to learn about program fees and multi-month payment discounts.

Jacob’s Ladder Assistance Fund (www.jl-af.org) provides financial support for young men in need. Please complete an application under the Start Recovery tab. Once your application is received, our staff will contact you to further discuss financial arrangements.​

what is the schedule?

Residents will have 24/7 supervision and a structured daily schedule. A typical day in the life includes daily chores, morning and evening meditation, mindful farming, lecture/education, step work, structured free time, 12-step meetings, and Jacob’s Ladder Community Meetings. Off site recreation, outdoor expeditions and facilitated individual, group and/or family therapy should be expected once or twice weekly

what are the farming responsibilities?

An active, working farm often resembles a life of recovery. The work is never complete. Under supervision and direction by our Farming Manager, residents will actively participate in the needs of the time. Seasons dictate the daily tasks but there is always work to be done. Residents will help with livestock (cows, lambs and sheep, hogs, chickens, etc.) management including feeding, herding, relocation, and hygiene; hay baling and storage; maintenance efforts like firewood collection, irrigation systems management, fence repair and management; as well as machinery care and maintenance, among many other responsibilities.

what treatment programs are used?

Jacob’s Ladder is a long-term residential treatment facility for men challenged by the disease of addiction. We synthesize and facilitate proven therapies that are customized to the needs of the individual. Our primary treatment paradigms are: a therapeutic/caring community, 12-step facilitation, Rational Emotive Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). We facilitate the clinical and psychological aspects of the treatment program and complement them with music & arts programming and outdoor recreation programs, while immersed in a farming community where everyone is focused on maintaining an unconditional positive regard for self, others and the earth.

can families stay or visit?

The Jacob’s Ladder philosophy requires family involvement when therapeutically appropriate. Family therapy will be included in customized programs and may take shape as face to face visits or web based video conferences. Visitation hours will be available, subject to therapeutic needs of the resident, after at least two months of participation. Program management will further clarify the family plans once assessments and individualized programs are complete. There are not overnight accommodations for families in the Jacob's Ladder residential facilities, however our staff will work with families regarding accommodations when applicable.

what are the qualifications of the staff?

The staff qualifications are two fold; experiential and educational. Our staff has both personal experience with addiction/recovery by way of their own struggle or that of loved ones. While some staff will be peer-based we will also employ highly-qualified addiction counselors as part of the program management team.

what are community meetings?

We will have daily community meetings, facilitated by our addiction counselors and staff. In community meetings we will address community strengths, community problem areas, individual step work and step progression, family dynamics, as well as open dialogue about progress and concerns for group members. In our groups we will help our clients put love into action. We will teach them assertive communication and how to demonstrate healthy boundaries/care with our peers. We will also discuss topics like; shame, guilt, men's issues in recovery, sexuality, spirituality, grief, loss, etc.

what is individual therapy?

Our clients will all have weekly focused sessions with their primary counselor. Clinical therapies will be determined after initial assessments and arranged as necessary. Counseling sessions will be individually customized and will address the current needs of the individual based on self-progress and on-going Jacob’s Ladder staff assessments.

what is family therapy?

Jacob’s Ladder believes that our residents deserve a family that is educated about the disease that will be managed as part of a lifelong recovery. It is an important element in an overall recovery program that is often overlooked by other programs. Jacob’s Ladder implements a family therapy program to educate families on addiction, and more importantly to facilitate family counseling necessary for establishing appropriate relationships for family connection in the future.

what is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique. For addicts and beyond, the future represents anxiety, the past represents shame, and the present is the place for thoughtful attention on the life we have to live. In our community we will instruct a practice of mindfulness based cognitive therapy and connectivity to others through work in the fields and with animals. We may utilize the client's practice or resistance, as material in their treatment planning. Evidence for step completion will be demonstrated in their participation in the farm, with the farmers, and with each other. Daily meditation, stress management education, music and art therapy, yoga and other practices are an integral program element. The relevance is structured connection, self-forgiveness, and surrender – as one component of the recovery solution.

does jacob's ladder utilize the 12 step model?

Yes. At Jacob's Ladder we believe that 12 steps programs embody precepts universal to all spiritual disciplines with specific applicability and design to the addict and alcoholic. These principles transcend the specific traditions which enlist them and are useful to all spiritual seekers. Therefore, the 12 steps, 12 traditions and 12 step facilitation model are integral parts of the Jacob Ladder program. However, we do not limit our scope of theoretical paradigms to the 12 steps and also rely heavily on the healing and liberating quality of “mindful” living as well as other therapeutic modalities. It is our core belief that an atmosphere and community founded in love, accountability, positive regard, and presence of mind provide the foundation for emotional, mental and spiritual growth.

Do residents detox at jacob's ladder?

Residents should complete detox before starting the program, so that the focus at Jacob's Ladder can be on healing and recovery.

What should I bring?

The most important thing to bring is a genuine desire to quit, and a willingness to participate. Bedding, toiletries and residential necessities are provided. A detailed checklist of what to bring, and what not to bring, will be included in resident acceptance packets

do residents ever leave the facilities?

There will be structured and supervised excursions throughout the program including outdoor recreation activities and other supervised recreation. Residents do not leave the group on their own at any time. There may be times that routine excursions like grocery trips are needed and those trips will be made as groups under the supervision and direction of program staff.

are meals included?

Yes. Part of an overall healing process is learning how to prepare and cook nutritious meals. At Jacob's Ladder, residents are responsible for actively participating in meal preparation and clean up. We will use produce and proteins from the farm often and as available.

Are there medical facilities nearby?

Yes, the town of Aurora has medical facilities, including a hospital in nearby Oakland, and Jacob’s Ladder is within reasonable distance to world-class medical facilities in Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA.

​what is the weather like? will I be warm in winter and safe in summer?

Aurora is geographically positioned in an amazing four-seasons climate zone. Residents will experience the amazement of re-birth during Aurora’s beautiful Spring; hot, steamy days on the farm in Summer; the much sought after leaf color-explosion of Fall; and the amazing demonstration of nature when blizzards blanket the area in snow each Winter. All facilities are modern and facilities management and emergency planning are all included in the Jacob’s Ladder program.

How can i help?

You can help by donating to the Jacob's Ladder Assistance Fund (www.jl-af.org). You can donate online here: ​https://jl-af.networkforgood.com/projects/63861-give-the-gift-of-recovery